Is it true that social media can change a person's mindset?

Mindset Change Process

Social media such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and other platforms have now become something that cannot be separated from society. This is due to the ease of obtaining information without having to struggle as in ancient times. Therefore, social media can be said to be one of the causes of a person's mindset to change. Then, how can a person's mindset change because of this?

First of all, people who get information through social media will interpret the news. Does it make sense to him or not. If it makes sense, then he will accept, process, and even believe in the information and eventually change his mindset.

For example, YouTube. This social media is often used by the community to upload and gain knowledge. Well, this is where we often find content that aims to lead public opinion. Even from this content can change the mindset of those who disagree to agree and vice versa.

Things that affect the mindset when using social media

1. Age

Starting from children to parents using their smart phones to obtain and exchange information through any media, including social media. Actually, age is not really the cause of this happening. This is because the human way of thinking is very dynamic because it changes over time.

However, children who use social media without parental supervision will have a negative impact on their mental condition. For example, when they are watching cartoon content on the YouTube platform, they may be drawn to content that they shouldn't be watching.

The mindset of children who are still in elementary and junior high school is still immature, so it is easy to change their mindset, both for positive and negative things..

2. How to process information

Social media doesn't change people's thinking right away. This of course will depend on how someone processes the information obtained.

For example, when you get information from Instagram or Twitter, will you immediately conclude or try to find other facts?

Again, it depends on how you process the information. When you immediately believe in information, immediately your mindset will change. Therefore, how to process information to conclude a fact can greatly affect a person's mindset.

3. Efforts to ascertain the truth

One of the topics currently being discussed in Indonesia is hoaxes or fake news. Changing or not a person's mindset also depends on the willingness that is in him to check the sources and facts about the news. As mentioned above, if we don't confirm the truth, a person's mindset will be very easy to change.

Therefore, hoax news has a very dangerous impact on everyone because its purpose is to get other people to agree with what was spread. A case in point is the spread of fake news in India.

The news is about four female beggars who are allegedly child kidnappers. The news circulated very quickly and made the public judge the four women until one of them was killed and three others were injured. In reality, the poor beggar was the victim of fake news spreading among the people.

Plus minus using social media

Most people say that social media has a bad impact on our mindset. In fact, overusing social media is very likely to lead to depression.

This happens because browsing social media makes us not aware that we are always comparing ourselves with other people. Maybe you often see friends whose lives are better, jobs that are more secure, to have your ideal partner. Everything looks ideal and ends up with jealousy and insecurity.

If this condition is allowed, it is not impossible that you can experience depression. But of course, depression due to social media doesn't usually happen easily. Usually this disorder occurs long enough for depression to appear and there are other contributing factors.

However, if we use it wisely, social media can actually be a place to share positive information, for example, from work to information about the item you are looking for so far.

Tips for getting the most out of social media

How big the negative and positive impacts of using social media will depend on each person. So, in order to avoid negative impacts, there are a few tips you can do:

1. Use social media as needed

The use of social media is actually okay because this platform is what we often use to socialize and get information.

Therefore, if we are wiser in limiting time and using it for certain situations and conditions, so that we are less affected by the negative effects of excessive use of social media.

2. Supervise your child

If we are parents, then the most correct step is to monitor the use of social media for children. Start by explaining what is allowed and prohibited and filtering information must also be done early so as not to interfere with the child's psychological development process and change their mindset for the worse.

3. Think critically

Try to start thinking critically because this is very important in good use of social media. Don't just swallow information, get the facts first, and focus on developing yourself.

In fact, social media can indeed change a person's mindset, for better or for worse. Everything depends on each individual who has power over himself. If the negative effects begin to feel, it is time to focus more on the real world, pay attention to people and the environment, and do more positive activities.

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